Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Darren Baylor

Every meaningful chapter of my life has involved risk. Leaving the comfort of a traditional professional identity to pursue creative work required risk. Exhibiting artwork publicly required risk. Appearing on stage as an actor required risk. Launching a YouTube channel at a time when many people my age are slowing down required risk. Even today, I’m still taking risks. Read more>>

Michael Williamson

I been taking risks my whole life, if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be who I am today Read more>>

Jenna Phravorachit

I don’t spend much time worrying about what might happen because I trust myself to deal with it if it does. I’ve spent most of my life taking risks, but if I’m being honest, a lot of them weren’t always the smartest risks. I always knew how to work hard, but I didn’t really learn how to work smart until I got into my 30s. Read more>>

Ania Joseph

I like to think of taking risks as my superpower. It is solely the reason I am where I am today, and it has completely defined my career. My earliest memory of this was naively applying to only one school for college: Howard University. Read more>>

Ansley Joseph

I think taking risks is one of the most important parts of being an artist. Growth rarely happens when you’re comfortable. Every time I’ve taken a risk, whether it was putting myself out there, pursuing a new opportunity, or stepping into a space where I wasn’t sure of the outcome, I’ve learned something new about myself. Read more>>

AJ Marietta

I’ve learned that every meaningful opportunity comes with some level of risk. Early in my career, I realized that waiting until everything feels certain often means missing out on growth. For me, risk isn’t about being reckless—it’s about making informed decisions, trusting your abilities, and being willing to take action despite uncertainty. Read more>>

Cora Rogers

Pursuing a career in film and television is, by its very nature, an act of risk. I believe that risk-taking is what sustains an artist. At this stage in my life, being in my twenties, preparing to move to a new state, and betting entirely on myself, it feels like the most meaningful risk I could take. Read more>>

Arjun Sethi

Taking risks has been one of the defining parts of my life and career. As an American-born Indian DJ, I chose a path that is often viewed as unconventional within my culture, where success is traditionally associated with careers in medicine, engineering, or business. Building a career in music requires taking risks every day. Read more>>

Derrick Tuff

We hear a lot about taking risks as entrepreneurs, but most of that conversation is about taking risks to pursue business opportunities. I don’t think we talk enough about what it means to take a risk on ourselves. A lot of times, before we move forward with an idea, we share it with family, friends, or colleagues. Read more>>

Maycon Fontoura

When people hear the word risk, they often think of reckless decisions or gambling. For me, risk has always meant something different. It means having the courage to move forward despite uncertainty while doing everything possible to prepare for success. Throughout my career, I have taken many calculated risks. Read more>>

Nick Uttam

With no risk, there is no reward. If we don’t take risks in our lives, businesses, and other areas, we wouldn’t progress as a species. I can definitely say this: I have failed more times than I’ve succeeded, and I’ve learned from each of those failures. Read more>>